Equanimity Quotes

Equanimity is the fourth of the brahma-viharas, or heart practices. It’s the quality of remaining stable, clear, and with wisdom when faced with pleasant and unpleasant experiences. Living with equanimity means living with a balanced non-reactivity, and taking things as they come. Here are some of our favorite quotes on equanimity.

“As a solid mass of rock is not stirred by the wind,
So a sage is not moved by praise and blame.
As a deep lake is clear and undisturbed,
So a sage becomes clear upon hearing the Dharma.
Virtuous people always let go. They don’t prattle about pleasures and desires.
Touched by happiness and then by suffering, the sage shows no sign of being elated or depressed.”
-The Buddha (Dhammapada)

“Equanimity is the hallmark of spirituality. It is neither chasing nor avoiding but just being in the middle.”
-Amit Ray

“Equanimity arises when we accept the way things are.”
-Jack Kornfield

“Without equanimity, we might give love to others only in an effort to bridge the inevitable and healthy space that always exists between two people.”
-Sharon Salzberg

“There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.”
-Miguel Ruiz

“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.”
-Marcus Aurelius

“To cultivate equanimity we practice catching ourselves when we feel attraction or aversion, before it hardens into grasping or negativity.”
-Pema Chodron

“When attachment does not occur when someone gives flowers and no abhorrence occurs when someone throws stones; that is considered equanimity.”
-Dada Bhagwan

“The best way to overcome fear is to face with equanimity the situation of which one is afraid.”
-B.K.S. Iyengar

“A modern definition of equanimity: cool. This refers to one whose mind remains stable & calm in all situations.”
-Allan Lokos

“Peaceful in the body, peaceful in speech,
The bhikkhu who is peaceful and well-concentrated
And who has rejected the world’s bait
is called ‘one at peace.'”
-The Buddha (Dhammapada)

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